Federal tax law provides the foreign tax credit to relieve taxpayers of the double tax burden imposed when their foreign income is taxed by both the United States and the foreign country where their income originated. Usually, if the foreign tax rate is higher than the U.S. tax rate, there will be no resulting U.S. tax on this foreign income. If the foreign tax rate is lower than the U.S. tax rate, the U.S. tax on the foreign income will be the difference between the two tax rates. Keep in mind that the foreign tax credit reduces U.S. taxes on foreign source income, but never reduces U.S. taxes on U.S. source income.
Using The Gift Tax Exclusion To Protect Your Estate
Most of us don’t have to worry about the federal estate tax or gift tax. In 2016, the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption is $5.45 million. Thus, any taxpayer while alive may give, and at death, devise, or bequeath, up to $5.45 million before any federal tax liability is created. This exemption is double for married couples, which means that a married couple can gift or leave a total of $10.9 million that will be exempt from federal estate and gift taxes.
Supreme Court Tax Cases: Comptroller of the Treasury of Maryland v. Brian Wynne
For a significant period of time, since 1873 in fact, the Supreme Court has held that the taxing power of the states is limited by the dormant commerce clause. State taxes on interstate activity must be “fairly apportioned,” meaning that if more than one state may legitimately tax the same income, each state may only tax its fair share. This flows from the Commerce Clause’s negative converse, i.e. its restriction prohibiting states from enacting legislation that overly burdens or discriminates against interstate commerce. In many cases dealing with the taxation of multi-state businesses, courts have enforced the requirement that state taxes be fairly apportioned.
Tax Issues for new Widows and Widowers
It’s a traumatic experience to lose a spouse. While there is little that can be done to replace this physical and emotional loss, the Tax Code provides some relief for newly widowed taxpayers. Here is a summary of some of the tax breaks for the newly widowed:
Filing Status
Some Things To Know About New York State Tax
It’s not news that most people complain about having to pay taxes. New Yorkers seem to especially complain about their state and local tax burden. The Tax Foundation, with a database that currently covers the years 1977-2012, interprets the tax burden of individual taxpayers by measuring what they actually spend in local and state taxes. Its. According to its rankings of states with the highest state and local tax burdens, Americans paid an average rate of 9.9 percent in state and local taxes in 2012. Further, the state with the highest state-local tax burden was New York at 12.7 %. In fact, the top three states – New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – have been ranked as the top three in this category since 2005. Not surprisingly, New York’s tax laws are relatively complex compared to other U.S. states. Here are some things to know about taxes in the Empire State.
Red Flags That Attract IRS Auditors
People typically think that the amount of their income is the biggest red flag that attracts an IRS auditor, and they would probably be right. But what are some of the other items on a tax return that may attract their attention? Some say that simple, plain returns are fairly safe and likely to avoid extended scrutiny by IRS auditors. According to the IRS, there are multiple ways a return may end up audited, here are some examples:
Erin Andrews Wins A $55 Million Verdict…Now For The IRS Bill
In early March, after a two-week trial and eight hours of deliberations, a Nashville jury awarded TV sports reporter Erin Andrews $55 million in damages for her lawsuit against a Nashville hotel after she was videotaped in 2008 without her knowledge. Andrews sued for $75 million in damages for negligent infliction of emotional distress and invasion of privacy.
What Is An IRS Levy?
A tax or IRS levy is an administrative action by the IRS under its statutory authority to legally seize property to satisfy a tax debt. This is in contrast to a lien which is a legal claim against property to secure payment of the tax debt, while a levy actually takes the property to satisfy the tax liability. Obviously, an IRS levy is a frightening proposition to most, if not all, taxpayers.
Pushing It To The Limit: Odd, Unusual And Crazy Tax Deductions
Working at the IRS or representing clients before the IRS has its perks and advantages. Having the opportunity to observe all of the outlandish and bizarre attempts by taxpayers to assert legitimate,valid tax deductions is rare. On one hand, it certainly may involve the observance of a unique form of comedy. Here are some odd, crazy, unusual, and please note, unsuccessful tax deductions:
*Crazy Home Office Deductions
A woman that ran a home business tried to deduct what was basically her home refrigerator. She explained to her tax professional that she kept drinks in the refrigerator for customers and other business associates that came to the home office for meetings. According to the owner, this occurred four or five times a year while the refrigerator was in her kitchen and served her family.
Increased Compliance – Record High Fbars Were Filed In 2015
Do you live abroad? Do you own an asset or bank or investment account that had an accumulated value or total exceeding $10,000 at any time in 2015 (or any year)? If so, you are required to file a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Reports (FBAR). Thus, if an asset was valued at, or an account totaled, $10,001 for just one day, an FBAR is due and must be filed. The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCen) received a record high 1,163,229 FBARs in 2015. What is surprising is that FinCen data shows that FBAR filings have grown an average of 17 percent per year during the last five years. Over 90,000 taxpayers filed FBARs in 2015.